Remote-control lighting system



Oct. 8, 1929. THOMPSON 1,730,794

REMOTE CONTROL LIGHTING SYSTEM Filed July 16. 1924 II II dw w? m Patented Oct. 8, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GEORGE G. THOMPSON, OF BRONXVILLE, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO WARD LEONARD ELECTRIC COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK REMOTE-CONTROL LIGHTING SYSTEM Application filed July 16,

This invention relates to an improved apparatus and system particularly adapted for the control of lighting circuits in theatres, motion picture houses, auditoriums and the like. Where such buildings are well equipped, there are a large number of lighting circuits of varied character, distribution and of different colors; and the requirements are so exacting for difierent scenes'that it is necessary for convenient and rapid control by the operator of the different circuits for the different scenes, to provide means whereby the lighting circuits for difierent scenes are set up in advance and the change to the new scene accomplished by merely changing master control switches.

The main object of this invention is to provide an improved apparatus and system of control which will not only be dependable in operation, but will also provide means whereby two separate scenes can be preset, using any desired circuits and color group for each scene, some of'the lights being included in both scenes, if desired, and without either of the scenes being put in use until required; and provision is also made whereby either scene may be selected and put in use by means of master control switches, or if desired, both scenes may be thrown on at one time. Another object is to secure control of each scene by two grand master switches, one controlling each scene.

Another object is to utilize contactor switches for control of the different circuits, which contactor switches may be of the form having only one coil for controlling the closure of each contactor switch respectively. This is preferably accomplished according to my invention, by the use of an auxiliary relay for controlling the current in each controlling coil of the contactor switches respectively, the auxiliary relay being subject to control and controlling its respective contactor coil according to the control provided for the different pre-set scenes.

Another object of this invention is to provide a simple and compact form of control apparatus which will occupy a minimum amount of space, not only at the operators 1924. Serial No. 726,384.

control board, but also where the contactor switches and relays are located.

The drawing is a diagram of apparatus and connections illustrating a preferred embodiment of my invention. I

The supply lines are indicated at 1, 2 and marked plus and minus respectively. The series of lighting circuits is indicated at A, B, C, D, E and F. These circuits and the lamps indicated as connected thereto may be located wherever desired and colored as may be desired for the particular lighting effects required. One side of each of these circuits is connected to one of the supply lines 2, as indicated in the drawing. The other side of each of these circuits is connected respectively to an armature or pivoted switch arm 3 of a series of contactor switches A,-B, C, D, E and F, one controlling each of the lighting circuits respectively. The contact arms 3 are normally open, being biased to open position by gravity or spring pressure and normally engage stops 4. Each contactor switch is automatically and electromagnetically closed whenever its coil or winding 5 is energized. The switch arms 3 are then caused to engage the fixed contacts 6. The contacts 6 are all connected to the other supply line 1. It is thus evident that whenever any one or more of the contactor switches A to F are closed, their corresponding lighting circuits will be supplied with current.

The winding of each contactor switch, and consequently its open and closed position, is controlled by its corresponding relays A, B C D, E and F Each relay comprises a movable armature or switch arm 7, which is biased by gravity or spring pressure to engage a fixed contact 8. Each relay has a winding 9 which, when energized, attracts its armature or switch arm 7 and causes it to then engage a fixed contact 10. Each contact arm 7 is electrically connected, as indicated in the drawing, with one terminal of the winding 5 Q nected to the operators control board, as hereinafterexplained.

The operators panel board or control board has mounted thereon a number of pilot switches, a to f, and another series of pilot switches, a to f, which are interrelated with and correspond to their respective relays, A to F previously described. The pilotswitches are indicated as being double throw switches, having upper contacts 11 and lower contacts 12. Each group of three pilot switches shown in the drawing is respectively provided with a master switch 13, 1 1, 15 and 16. Each master switch has its switch arm connected to its corresponding set of three contacts 11 of the pilot switches. The master switches are in turn related to a pair of grand master switches, 17 and 18. In the form shown in the drawing, the grand master switches need only be single throw switches; and when their switch arms are thrown downwardly, they engage the fixed contacts 17 and 18 respectively. When the master switches 13 to 16 are thrown downwardly, they engage fixed contacts 13, 14, 15' and 16' respectively. All of the contacts 12 and the contacts 13 to 16 and 17 and 18 are connected to one side of the supply line, which in this instance is indicated as the positive supply line 1.

The upper-contacts 13 and 15 of master switches 13 and 15, are connected together and to theswitch arm of grand master switch 17. The upper contacts 1 L and 16 of master switches 14 and 16 are connected together and t0 the switch arm of grand master switch 18. The movable elements of the pilot switches, a, b, c are connected respectively to one terminal of the windings 9 of the relay switches A B C and the movable elements of pilot switches d, e, f are connected respectively to one terminal of windings 9 of the relay switches D E", and F. The movable elements of each pilot switch a, b and c are connected respectively to the fixed contacts 8 of the relay switches A B and C and the movable elements of pilot switches (l, e and f are connected respectively to the fixed contacts 8 of relay switches D E and F The fixed contacts 10 of the relay switches A to F are all connected to one side of the supply line, which in this case is the positive line marked 1.

Vhen any one or more of the pilot switches a, b, c are closed to engage contacts 11, it will place the control of such pilot switches under the master switch 13; and in the same way ,when any pilot switch is moved to engage its contact 11, it will cause it to be placed under the control of its corresponding master switch 13 to 16. 'lVhen any one or more of the master switches 13 to 16 are moved up wardly to engage their fixed contacts 13 to 16", it will place such master switches under the control of grand master switches 17 and 18, the grand master switch 17 then controlling master switches 13 and 15 and the grand master switch 18 then controlling master switches 14 and 16. \Vhen master switches l? to 16 are moved down to engage contacts 13 to 16, it causes' the corresponding pilot switches which are in engagement with contacts 11, to be subject to independent control by the master switches 13 to 16, depending upon whether they are open or moved downwardly, and this control by the master switches is independent of any control by the grand master switches 17 and 18. Thus the upper position of pilot switches a to 7 causes them to be controlled in groups by their master switches 13 and 151513 aratcly by their downward movement, 'or subject to common control by grand master switch 17, when the switches 13 and 15 are in their upper position. Similarly pilot switches a to f maybe independently controlled by master switches 14 and 16, or

made subject to common control by the grand master switch 18. The pilotswitches a. to fmay be pro-set to-secure any predetermined scene; and the pilot switches a to f -may be pre-set to secure any desired difi'erent scene by control of the contactor switches and cor responding circuits.

\Vhcn any pilot switch a to f, or any pilot switch a to f is moved downwardly to engage its fixed contact 12, it will cause its corresponding contactor switch A to F .tobe closed and remain closed .during all of the scenes, regardhss of the position of the mastcr switches, or of the grand master switches.

In order to understand the operation and relal ion of the circuits, let it be assumed that pilot switch a is moved upwardly to engage its contact 11 and that master switch 13 is moved upwardly to engage its contact 13"- and grand master switch 17 is moved down- \vardl v to engage its contact 17; would then he completed from line 1 to contact 17 through the grand master switch 17 to contact 13 and through the master switch 13 to contact 11 of pilot switch u: thence the circuit continues from pilot switch a. through winding 9 of relay switch A to the negative side of the supply line. This causes the armature 7 of relay A to be attracted and engage its contact 10. As contact 10 is connected to the positive side of the supply line, current passes therefrom through armature 7 of relay switch A" through winding 5 of contactor switch A to the negative side of the supply line. This causes contacror switch A to be closed and to supply current to the lighting circuit A, current passing from positive line 1 to contact 6 of cont-actor switch A through its armature 3 and thence to the lamps on circuit A, and then to the negative supply line 2 from the other side of the lamp circuit. Similarly if any one of the pilot switches a to f is moved a circuit to its upper position, it will cause a completion of circuits corresponding to those just described and correspondingly cause the closure of their respective contactor switches and lighting circuits. Thus with master switches 13 and 15 in their upper positions, the movement of grand master switch 17 to its lower position will cause the closure of such contactor switches A to F which correspond with the pilot switches a to 7 which are in their upper position at that time, and thereby throw on corresponding lighting circuits.

Considering now the control obtained by pilot switches a to f, it may be assumed that master switch 14 is moved to its upper position to engage contact 14 and that grand master switch 18 is moved to its lower position to engage contact 18'. Assuming pilot switch ato be closed in its upper position, current will pass from'the positive supply line through grand master switch 18, master switch 14 and pilot switch a to contact 8 of relay A thencecurrent passes through its armature 7 and through winding 5 of contactor switch A and then to the negative side of the supply line. This obviously causes the closure of contactor switch A and causes current to be supplied to the lamps connected to lighting circuit A. Similarly if any one of the pilot switches a to f is moved to its upper position, it will cause a completion of circuits corresponding to those just described and :correspondingly cause the closure of their respective contactor switches and lighting circuit-s. Thus with master switches 14 and 16 in their upper positions, the movement of grand master switch 18 to its lower position will cause the closure of such contactor switches A to F which correspond with the pilot switches a. to f, which are in their upper position at that time, and thereby throw on corresponding lighting circuits.

It is apparent from the above description that with the master switches closed in their upper position, any desired circuit combination can be pre-set by moving any one or more of pilot switches a to f to their upper position and that the selected combination of circuits for any particular scene may be thrown on by merely closing grand master switch 17 Likewise when master switches 14 and 16 are in their upper positions, then any other desired combination of lighting circuits for a different scene may be pre-set by movement of any one or more of the pilot switches a to f to their upper positions and this different lighting combination may be thrown on for another scene by merely closing grand master switch 18. It is evident that if desired, some of the circuits may be used in both scenes by having both pilot switches, which control the same contactor switch, moved to their upper positions.

Thus, any desired combination of lighting effects can be obtained and pre-set for two diiferent scenes by moving the desired pilot switches to their upper positions, as well as the master switches, and the lights for one scene may be thrown on by closing one of the grand master switches and for the other scene by opening this grand master switch and closing the other grand master switch. If it be desired to independently control the circuits of pilot switches a, b and c, then master switch 13 would be moved from contact 13 and control any one or more of the circuits of pilot switches a, b and c by causing master switch 13 to engage or disengage contact 13. Similarly the other three groups of circuits controlled by pilot switches may be independently controlled by corresponding switches 14, 15 and 16. V hen it is desired that any contactor switch be closed at any time and not be subject to control by its master switch, or grand master switch, it is merely necessary to move one of the pilot switches corresponding to the contactor switch and lighting circuit to be controlled, to its lower position, which will cause its corresponding circuit to remain closed regardless of control by the master switches. Thus if it be desired to keep contactor switch B closed and lighting circuit B on, independently of control by the master switches, it is merely necessary to move pilot switch 6 to its lower position to engage its contact 12. The pilot switch circuit will then be completed from the positive supply line to contact 12, through switch 6 and through winding 9 of relay B and then to the negative supply line. This causes the armature 7 of relay B to engage its contact 10, which then causes current to pass from the positive supply line to contact 10 of relay B armature 7, and winding 5 of contactor switch B and then to the negative side of the line. This obviously closes contactor switch B and its corresponding lighting circuit and will remain closed as long as pilot switch 6 is in its lower closed position. Similarly if pilot switch 6' be moved to its lower position, it will close a circuit from the positive supply line through pilot switch 6 to contact 8 of relay B thence through armature 7 of the relay and winding 5 of contactor switch B to the negative supply line. This obviously causes the closure of contactor switch B and of its lighting circuit B. This circuit will then remain closed as long as pilot switch 6 is in its lower position. because if pilot switch I) should also be moved to its upper position and the circuit therethrough be closed from the positive supply line through winding 9 of relay B such action would cause cont-actor switch B and its lighting circuit to remain closed. Similarly if any one or more of the other pilot switches a to f and a to f be closed in their lower positions, it will cause corresponding contactor switches and 'lighting circuits to remain closed .regardless'of control by the master, or grand masterswitches.

typical system of remote control accomplishing the objects of my invention, it will be understood that any desired number of lighting circuits and contactor switches may be used and controlled and provided with any desirednumber of-pilot switches and master and grand master switches-which may be grouped and related tosuit the requirements of any particular. case. ;:-Also the pilot switches may be of any usual form; but will preferably be of-the snap type operated by buttons, orofthe tumbler'switch type. The master and grandmaster switches wouldalso preferably be of the quick make and'zquick breaktype. 1 Lhe contactor. switches and relays may also be .of any-particular-formand construct-ion desired, .thedrawing and description beingsufiicient toindicate the fundamental requirementsand mode of operit 1011511 will also be understood that vari ous modifications may be made of this invention without departing from the-scope.

thereof.

Iclaimr? I -1. Ina remote control system, a plurality of :circuits and contactor switches therefor, each ofisaid contactor switches having a winding for-causing the closure of said contactor switches respectively, a relay corre sponding to and for controlling the current in each of said windings respectively, a pair of pilot switches corresponding to each of said .relays respectively, each pilotswitch being adapted to-cooperate with its relay to close the corresponding contactor switch, and two pairs of master switches corresponding to and controlling the circuits respectively of a set of pilot switches comprising one of each pair of pilot switches and a set comprising the other of each pair of pilot switches. a e

2. In a remote'control system, the combination of'a plurality of circuits and contactor switches therefor, each of said contactor switcheshaving a winding for causing the closure thereof, a relay correspond ing to and for controlling each of said contactor windings, respectively, each of said relays comprising a winding f r actuating the armature thereof, a contact for each of said relays normally engaged by the armature respectively of each relay, a set of pilot switches for controlling the current respectively in the winding of each of said relays, a set of pilot switches for controlling the current to the contacts respectively of said relays normally engaged by the armatures thereof, masterswitches for respectively controlling the current through said two sets of pilot switches, and circuitconnections for causing current to be supplied to the the currentinwindings of said contactor switches when controlled by one of said sets of pilot switches to causethe closure of said contactor switches Although I'have shown and described a and for supplying current to said windings of said contactor switches when controlled by the other said set of pilot switches.

3. In a remote control system, the combination of a circuit and contactor switch therefor, said contactor switch having a winding for causing the closure of said contactor switch, a relay for controlling the current in said winding, said relay comprising a winding for causing the movement of the movable element thereof, a fixed contact normally engaged by said movable element, a second fixed contact having a circuit connection engaged by said movable elementwhen said winding of'the relay isenergized, said movable element being-connected to a terminal of said winding of the contactor switch, a switch for supplying current to the contact of-said relay normally engaged by said movable element for supplying current to said winding of said contactor switch, and a second switch for supplying current to said winding of said relay. for causing current to be supplied to said winding of said contactor switch.

4. In a remote control system, the combination of a pluralityof circuits and electromagnetic contactor switches therefor, means comprising a plurality of pilot-switches corresponding to and for closingeach of said contactor switches, master switches for controlling the circuit of the pilot switches, and means whereby each of said pilot switches maysupply current to the windings of said contactor switches respectively independently of said master switches. 4

5. In a remote control system, the combination of a plurality of circuits and electromagnetic contactor switches therefor, means for controlling said contactor switches comprising a pair of pilot switches correspondingto and for closing each contactor switch respectively, master switches for controlling aset of pilot switches comprising one of each pair and a set comprising another of each pair respectively, and means whereby each oisaid pilot switches may supply current to the windings of said contactor switches respectively independently of said master switches.

6. In a remote control system, a plurality of circuits and contactor switches therefor, each of said contactor switches having a winding for causing the closure of said contactor switches respectively, a relay corresponding to and for controlling the current in each of said windings respectively, a pair of pilot switches corresponding to each of said relays respectively, each pilot switch being adapted to cooperate with its relay to close the corresponding contactor switch, master switches corresponding to and controlling the circuits respectively of a set of pilot switches comprising one of each pair of pilot switches and a set comprising the other of each pair of pilot switches, and means whereby said pilot switches may supply current to the windings of said contactor switches respectively independently of said master switches.

7. In a remote control system, the combination of a plurality of circuits and contactor switches therefor, each of said contactor switches having a winding for causing the closure thereof, a relay corresponding to and for controlling the current in the winding of each of said contactor switches respectively, each of said relays comprising a winding for actuating the armature thereof, a contact for each of said relays normally engaged by the armature respectively of each relay a set of pilot switches for controlling the current respectively in each of the windings for said relays, a set of pilot switches for controlling the current to the contacts respectively of said relays normally engaged by the armatures thereof, master switches for respectively controlling the current through said two sets of pilot switches, circuit connect-ions for causing current to be supplied to the windings of said contactor switches when controlled by one of said sets of pilot switches to cause the closure of said contactor switches and for supplying current to said windings of said contactor switches when controlled by the other said set of pilot switches, and means whereby said pilot switches may supply current to the windings of said contactor switches respectively independently of said master switches.

GEORGE G. THOMPSON. 

